5/5
Overall
Anonymous runner · Mar 3, 2016
25 mpw training for middle distance came from the ASICS GEL-Cumulus 13
- Comfort
- 5/5
- Durability
- 3/5
- Appearance
- 4/5
- Value
- 4/5
Saucony Kinvara 4
Daily trainer · Neutral · Road · 7.7 oz (men's) · 22/18mm stack · 4mm drop
Discontinued — we no longer see this shoe in stock. The Saucony Kinvara 5 replaced it
How it ranks
The Saucony Kinvara 4 ranks below most daily trainers in our data. Value and comfort are its strongest sub-ratings. Durability scores well below its other sub-ratings. The rating is based on 129 runner reviews and 14 other rated shoes in the Kinvara product line.
Decent
Confidence
How settled the rating is against every other rated shoe. A shoe can rate high on confidence with relatively few reviews of its own when its product line has a long record and external ratings from retailer sites agree. Confidence is low when we have few ratings or when runners disagree.
Confidence
100 Very high
Based on
The bars show roughly how much each source contributes to this shoe’s rating. Their influence depends on how many reviews we’ve collected, how many earlier versions are in the product line, and the external ratings available.
- Our ratings
- Product line track record
- External ratings
What runners say
“Minimal enough for mid-strike and ground feel, yet still protective.”
“Zero issues, injuries, or will to find another running shoe.”
“Before they break down, the most comfortable, lightweight shoes that make you feel fast.”
“Fit perfect, lightweight, feel like running on pillows.”
“Not durable at all; every pair ends up with holes after a couple of months.”
“Toe box is wide—great for slow running, not so good for fast running.”
“Haven't experienced a trainer as responsive at high speeds.”
“Can run 5K, 10K, half marathon, marathon, and track in one shoe.”
“Got 2 stress fractures back to back—not enough support.”
“Lasts up to 450 miles if the upper doesn't fall apart.”
“The ride is very smooth, the comfort is great, and very responsive.”
“Netting on side of shoe tears after 6 weeks (at 75 mpw).”
“The Saucony mold/last fit my foot's demands perfectly.”
“Lightweight, comfortable, and felt real smooth when going quick.”
“Remained injury free using Kinvara full-time for 3 years.”
“The only shoe that doesn't give me blisters and handles lots of miles.”
“Cushioning wears quickly, but shoe still has life; expect 500-600 miles.”
“The mesh always tears at about 250 miles.”
“Wears out a little quickly (about 250 miles).”
“Wish it lasted longer than 300-350 miles.”
“Didn't last long; had to change every 2 months.”
“Material closest to the ground is mostly foam and wears away quickly.”
“Feels more rigid and like more shoe than versions 3 and 2.”
“Prefer more cushioning for runs over an hour.”
“300-500 miles before needing replacement.”
“Very light, not very rigid, medium cushion.”
“Arch support is placed closer to the heel.”
Prefer this shoe over another
42% 32/77
Where to buy
No offers available
Affiliate links included. They never affect our ratings.
Prices updated daily. Last checked Oct 22.
Pros
- Reviewers find it light at 7.7 oz and comfortable for daily miles.
- Runners use it for easy days, tempos and races alike.
- Many reviewers like the 4mm drop and the low, flexible feel.
Cons
- The upper mesh often tears at the toe box within months, several reviewers by 250 to 300 miles.
- Durability is by far its lowest-rated dimension at 3.2 out of 5, with reviewers reporting the outsole foam wearing fast and the cushioning packing out early.
- Several reviewers prefer earlier Kinvara versions, and the Kinvara 3 and 5 both score 97 against this shoe's 73.
Rating & Confidence vs. other shoes for sale
Each dot is one rated shoe for sale, placed by its rating and by how much evidence sits behind it. Shoes toward the top right are both well rated and well established.
Better Shoes Rating
Better Shoes Rating of prior versions of the Saucony Kinvara
Each dot is one version of the Kinvara, placed by its rating and release year. The gold dot is this shoe.
Release year
-
2025 · 3 reviews
87 Good
85 Confidence
-
2024 · 13 reviews
83 Good
86 Confidence
-
2023 · 49 reviews
84 Good
97 Confidence
-
2022 · 36 reviews
78 Decent
96 Confidence
-
2021 · 6 reviews
84 Good
86 Confidence
-
2020 · 7 reviews
77 Decent
87 Confidence
-
2019 · 51 reviews
91 Very good
99 Confidence
-
2018 · 55 reviews
80 Good
99 Confidence
-
2017 · 57 reviews
81 Good
100 Confidence
-
2016 · 21 reviews
93 Excellent
98 Confidence
-
2015 · 8 reviews
89 Good
94 Confidence
-
2014 · 128 reviews
91 Very good
100 Confidence
-
Kinvara 4 This shoe
2013 · 129 reviews
71 Decent
100 Confidence
-
2012 · 11 reviews
86 Good
94 Confidence
-
2011 · 3 reviews
62 Below average
89 Confidence
Specs & fit
Sizing and ride details at a glance.
- Weight
- 7.7 oz (men's)
- Release
- 2013
- MSRP
- $100
- Stack
- 22/18mm
- Drop
- 4mm
Runner reviews
4/5
Overall
Anonymous runner · Dec 18, 2015
50 mpw training for a marathon came from the Nike Air Pegasus+ 30
- Comfort
- 5/5
- Durability
- 3/5
- Appearance
- 4/5
- Value
- 5/5
5/5
Overall
Ricky Rozay_ · Dec 13, 2015
60 mpw 1,825 miles in this shoe came from the Brooks Ravenna 5
- Comfort
- 5/5
- Durability
- 3/5
- Appearance
- 5/5
- Value
- 5/5
4/5
Overall
Anonymous runner · Sep 6, 2015
50 mpw training for a marathon came from the Mizuno Wave Rider 15
- Comfort
- 5/5
- Durability
- 3/5
- Appearance
- 5/5
- Value
- 4/5
5/5
Overall
Anonymous runner · Jul 21, 2015
50 mpw training for a half marathon came from the New Balance 1400 v2
- Comfort
- 5/5
- Durability
- 4/5
- Appearance
- 4/5
- Value
- 5/5
Alternatives
Other shoes worth considering.
More from Saucony
Compared to other shoes
See how this shoe compares to others like it.
Saucony Kinvara 4 In Context
More on the Saucony Kinvara
- Saucony Kinvara 16
- Saucony Kinvara 15
- Saucony Kinvara 14
- Saucony Kinvara 13
- Saucony Kinvara 12
- Saucony Kinvara 11
- Saucony Kinvara 5 next version
- Saucony Kinvara 3 previous version
Reviewers Also Ran In
- Nike Air Pegasus+ 30 4 runners
- Saucony Kinvara 3 2 runners
- New Balance 1400 v1 2 runners